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05 August, 2012

Linen and Burlap...Vintage French Typewriter Pillow

I have been at it again…creating another pillow! The beginning of the school year is on my mind since my oldest grandson is starting middle school…sniff! And, as a retired teacher, I always feel a strange little tug to buy new pencils and start putting up posters around the beginning of August. Sooo…I decided to make one that I have had on the back burner for a long time that sports a vintage French typewriter graphic.

Just in case you are wondering about the whereabouts of my scheduled co-hostess Miss Isabella…she is busy going nose to nose with the neighbor’s cat through the back door...so I will be going it alone once again.

And here’s the graphic! I found it hereat Marie Claire Idées and loved it! It features a typewriter with a typical French keyboard…not a QWERTY like ours. First, I tweaked it a little…making it black instead of turquoise. (If you prefer the turquoise, just click on Téléchargez le motif de machine à écrire at the bottom of Marie Claire's page.) Next, I flipped it and printed it on iron-on transfer paper…found at craft and office supply stores. I like Avery brand and usually use the one for light fabrics. My typewriter is a little fatter than the one above because I used the stretch setting on Photoscape when I printed it.

I followed the directions on the package and applied it to a scrap of linen fabric. A word of advice…iron, iron iron and when you think it’s enough, iron some more. Next, I cut around it, leaving the frayed edges, and stitched it to the front of my pillow cover. I used a charcoal grey linen remnant that I found for about $2.50 for a yard…woo hoo! The script on the graphic says It is a beautiful story… Love it!

I used a scrap of burlap from my stash for the back of the pillow cover. I have discovered that it is super easy to make envelope style closures (tutorialhere) and they allow me to reuse my down pillow forms…all Goodwill find for under $3.00. And best of all…I don’t have a huge stack of pillows to store! I just put the covers in a drawer!

And here it is! I am going to enjoy this one! It just feels like fall and cooler weather are approaching! And I am ready for some cooler weather! How about you?

Debbie,I adore your newest Frenchy pillow, dear friend!!! I finally got up the courage and tackled the sewing machine to make my Vintage button Christmas pillows!!! Still hate to sew...but I L O V E our new Christmas pillows! Thanks for all the support and inspiration that I recieve from you and your Staff. Speaking off which...those ears in that position are a definite sign of defense! Hope the other cat wises up and moves on!!!Fondly,Pat

Well that is just gorgeous now!! I had no idea the layout of the keys was different on old French typewriters!I felt right at home looking at the back of your kitty's head. That scene has played out MANY times here at our house when our indoor kitty(ies) spy a neighbor's cat peeking in at them! Oh my gosh, I LOVED how you were right there at the right time and angle - priceless!... Donna

Oh how cute and I LOVE the words. :)I can't wait to get out my sewing machine when this biz is behind me and start making some projects like these. You have so inspired me beyond words. I love the stare off with your baby. Too funny. Are they in love? :)

Chere Deborah, when I scrolled to this post on my RSS feed, I literally GASPED! When I was a little girl, my dad was an officer of the Knights of Columbus, and I would type his financial reports on a typewriter like this (lots...of...strength to strike those keys!). Later, when I was a freelance copywriter, I used a typewriter as sort of a tongue-in-cheek logo.

I will absolutely be making this as a little gift to myself -- thank you!Judith

There is something so delightful about vintage typewriters...and of course, it has nothing to do with me being a "champion" manual typist...98 words per minute, no errors in 1970. LOL You should have heard me on the first Selectrics...it sounded like machine gun fire.

The pillow is beautiful! And I can tell from the way your assistant's ears are sort of down that she is not a happy camper. (How did you number your comments? Email me at brendakula@gmail.com if you don't mind...)Brenda

Hi, just found your blog via Pinterest and I love all your fab ideas. I love to decorate my home with English words and not French words. I wonder if I will be able to ever find the French style with English words? :)

I had to scroll down for long time to get to the comment box. You are very popular, I sure know why, your projects, I'll be busy making pillow covers for days. Love to make them so it's a really good thing. You've given me so much to work with. If my pillow covers don't sell I'll really wonder why. I can't afford to make covers with linen, use osnaburg, duck cloth canvas and paint cloths. My machine won't sew burlap so I use what will work for me to make a well made sturdy and washable pillow cover. Just so happens Hobby Lobby has the duck cloth on sale this week so will be getting as much as I can. I just love making pillow covers, quick and easy. Happy days

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